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Bishop asks Hawaii Catholics to join two upcoming COVID-19 prayer efforts led by the Pope

March 23, 2020

From Bishop Larry Silva

On Sunday, March 22, Pope Francis issued two invitations to all the people of the world to join him in prayer for a speedy and healthy resolution to the coronavirus pandemic. Please plan to join in both of these experiences and any others your parish may be conducting.

• Wednesday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation: Say the Our Father, the prayer Jesus himself taught us, at noon from wherever you are. Whenever the clock strikes twelve in any time zone, the people of that zone will join their prayer to others. (See below for a further suggestion.)
• Friday, March 27, 7:00 a.m. Hawaii Time (6:00 p.m. Rome time): The Holy Father will conduct a prayer service for all the world at St. Peter’s Basilica, which will include Scripture readings, prayers, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He will conclude with the Urbi et Orbi Blessing (to the city of Rome and to the world), which is normally only given at Easter and Christmas. A special indulgence is connected to this blessing. You can join in this prayer service via EWTN Catholic television network or other media portals.

In addition, I would recommend, especially on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25, that, in addition to the Our Father, everyone also pray the Angelus, a centuries-old prayer interspersed with Hail Marys, which is traditionally recited at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 6:00 p.m. in order to keep our minds fixed throughout the day on the Lord, who loves us so much he became one of us. Here is the Angelus in English:

Leader: The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
Response: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Leader: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.
Response: Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail, Mary, …
Leader: And the Word was made flesh
Response: And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, …
Leader: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
Response: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail, Mary, …
Leader: Let us pray.

All: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, they grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of the resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.